Devices for transferring thermoelectric power effects to the skin of a human



y 9, 1957 L. SUKACEV 2,798,494

DEVICES FOR TRANSFERRING THERMO-ELECTRIC POWER EFFECTS TO THE SKIN OF A HUMAN Filed Aug. 11, 1955 DEVICES FOR TRANSFERRING THERMOELEC- 131615! AIQOWER EFFECTS TO THE SKIN OF A Lev Sukacev, New York, N. Y.

Application August 11, 1955, Serial No. 527,762

1 Claim. (Cl. 128-379) The present invention relates to improvements in devices of the type employed in transferring thermo-electric power effects to the skin of a human.

The apparatus of the present invention comprises an improved arrangement of thermocouples for application to the body of a patient. The thermocouples are preferably affixed to an insulating support comprising, for instance, a plate preferably of thermoplastic material that can be shaped to fit snugly against a surface, or member of a body to which the device is applied so that the hot junctions of an associated thermopile are efficiently heated. In certain arrangements, a thermopile is combined with an insulating plate in such manner that it is reversible and that either side may be placed against a skin surface, thereby heating junctions for generation of an electric current. The plate and combined thermopile may serve as a unitary insert that is replaceable. A cover for ornamental or other purpose may be provided which does not interfere with the thermo-electric efiects produced.

Further features and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fragment showing the application of a thermopile insert in a bracelet;

Fig. 2 is an enlargement of an elevational view looking towards one edge of the thermopile insert with added parts of Fig. 1 for purposes of illustration;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of only the upper side of the insert shown in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of one side of a modified insert.

In Fig. l, a thermopile unit or insert 1 is shown, by way of example, combined in a bracelet comprising an extensible metal band 2, connectors 3 and 4 to which the opposite ends of the band are respectively attached, removably, if desired, when placed on the wrist, and a cover 5 ailixed to one side of the insert 1 in a congruent manner.

A thermopile unit or insert 1 for use in an instrument in the present invention comprises, as shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 3, an insulating base 6 and a continuous strip of metals for forming a plurality of thermocouples 7 and 8 in a thermopile. The strip consists of alternate lengths of different metals or metal-containing substances that form thermocouples when associated in a manner well understood in thermoelectricity. Every other section in the strip may be copper, for instance, and the intermediate sections may be nickel. Copper and zinc, iron and constantan, or antimony and bismuth, are further examples of metallic substances that may be so combined.

The strip with its sections electrically connected end to end, and the ends of the sections overlapping at 7 and 8, is so arranged and supported on the surface of the base 6 that the overlaps 7 are on one side and the overlaps 8 are on the other side of the base. Several of each of these overlaps are shown in alignment across the opposite sides of the base 6. The sections 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the strip placed toward one end of the base may be of one metal, copper for instance, and the States Patent 0 2,798,494 Patented July 9, 1957 "ii ce sections 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the strip placed toward the other end of the base may be of another metal, nickel for instance. End sections 9 and 13, on the upper face of the base 6, extend from a terminal 17 and 18, respectively, near opposite ends of the base, to and through an opening 1? and 26), respectively, to the lower face of the base and then to an overlap 7 where they connect with the end of a next adjoining section, 16 and 12 respectively. The sections 10, 11 and 12 extend from an overlap 8 on the upper surface of the base 6, to and through an opening 21, 22, and 23, respectively, and then to an overlap 7 on the lower side of the base where they connect with the end of the next adjoining section 15, 14, and 13, respectively. The sections 14, 15, and 16 extend from an overlap 8 on the upper side of the base to and through openings 24, 25 and 26, respectively, and then to an overlap 7 on the lower side of the base where, as indicated above, they connect with sections 11., 10, and 9,.respectively. I

In Fig. 3, the openings 19, 21, 22, 23 are shown in alignment to one side of the line of overlaps 7 and 8, and the openings 20, 24, 25 and 26 are shown in align ment to the other side of the line of these overlaps. The arrangement, as shown, makes it convenient to apply the metal sections to the base by electrolytic processes, wherein one end of the base 6 with properly distributed shielding means, may be inserted in a suitable bath to provide plating of the metal in sections 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the strip, and then the other end of the base with the shielding means may be inserted in a bath to provide plating of the other metal in sections 13, 14, 15, and 16 of the strip and to form the overlaps 7 and 1'3 serving as the couples.

The strip may assume any desired conformation to provide decorative effects and to provide extra length on the upper side or" the unit to permit cooling before the heat conducted from the lower side reaches the cold junctions, or overlaps 8. The strip is preferably placed so that it, including the terminals 17 and 18, is within an area spaced from the edges of the base 6, thereby obtaining the benefit of the insulating effect of the base and preventing contact of the strip with metallic means that may be attached at the edges. For instance, the cover 5 may be placed over the top surface of the thermopile unit 1 and its reduced ends 30 and 31 may be bent over the end edges of the base 6, as partly shown diagrammatically by Way of illustration in Fig. 2, and clamped in place. If the cover is metal, insulation 32, illustrated in part, is provided between it and the thermopile strip. The connectors 3 and 4, preferably of metal, may beattached to the ends of the unit, as shown, by screws, while avoiding contact with the cover 5. Screws 33 and 34- attach the connector 3 to the base 6 respectively at the opening 35, and at the terminal 17 where electrical connection is made to one end of the thermopile strip. Screws 36 and 37 attach the connector 4 to the base respectively at the opening 38, and at the terminal 18 where electrical connection is made with the other end of the strip. The ends 39 and 41) of the band 2, attached to the connectors 3 and 4 and intermediately insulated from each other, serve as leads for conducting generated current through a persons wrist.

In Fig. 4, the perforations 21, 22, 23', and 20', 24, 25 in an insulating base 6' corresponding to perforations in the insulating base 6 shown in Fig. 3, assume substantially the same position relative to the overlaps 7' and 8' that similar perforations do with respect to overlaps 7 and 8, but the sections in the strip in the unit shown in Fig. 4 pass more directly from the perforations to the overlaps 8. in this form the lines of perforations may be sufficiently spaced from the line of overlaps to permit any desired heat radiation. 

